PRINCE | A Photobook by Huw Alden Davies
We're big fans of visual storytelling, and were delighted to be sent a copy of Huw Alden Davies' new photo book 'Prince' to review.
Offering an insight into the life of the artist's father John, or 'Prince' as he has been known as for most of his life, the imagery and narrative work together to build up a picture of a man who is both unique and familiar at the same time. For those of us who have grown up looking up to our fathers with an element of adoration, 'Prince' will strike a definite chord of familiarity.
"There is an old adage that a boy's best friend is his mother, to which I can arrest; it is also a right of passage that a boy's father becomes his first hero, and my first hero was a prince."
In 'Prince', Davies aims to reconnect with these childhood feelings of reverence and intrigue, and in doing so tells the story of a man who appears both endearing, eccentric and humorously stubborn.
One of the most striking visual elements of the photo book is the cinematic way in which the images have been photographed. Shot at night, in and around Prince's home, these are photos which feel tinged with a hint of melancholy. We see Prince in his shed (adorned with the welsh dragon) with his back to the camera, his work space filled with ephemera including a bottle of Jack Daniels. Or Prince at the dining room table, sombre expression, crutches propped against the wall, with a can of beer in front of him. These are not images which feel sentimental, but rather images that feel 'real' and charged with quiet emotion. When we look back at our childhood and compare it to how we view things as an adult, we often get a feeling of nostalgia (sometimes with a warm feeling, sometimes with a hint of wistfulness) and it's this carefully balanced atmosphere that Davies has managed to capture so beautifully within his series.
The book is filled with stories and anecdotes from Prince himself, and these work with the images to build up an intimate portrayal of a man who has a strong character, is set in his ways, but also has a sense of humour. Each anecdote is given it's own title, written in pencil (perhaps by Prince himself) which help to lend the narrative more importance; these are stories that have perhaps been told many times, maybe embellished over the years, and are familiar to Prince and his family.
"The nurse told me a few weeks ago that I had to give up chocolate. I was so pissed off. I said: "I've given up the drink, I've given up the fags, now I have to give up my chocolate. Do you want me to stop breathing as well?"
As a viewer and reader, these anecdotes not only draw us further into Prince's world, but also prompt us to draw parallels between Prince and people we may know ourselves. The addition of a single piece of narrative from Davies, and one from his mother emphasises the influence of Prince on his family; their anecdotes are written in a similar tone and punctuated with swearing. They also convey exasperation towards Prince and his idiosyncrasies; 'Pick n Mix' starts with "I'm not sure how much more I can take" and Davies' starts his narrative 'Lines' with "Try living under the same roof. He drives you insane." Despite this though, these anecdotes are told with humour, suggesting an underlying tone of endearment towards Prince and his eccentric ways.
In essence, ‘Prince’ is a book that will absorb you from start to finish, and leave you wanting more. The good news is that this is entirely possible, as Davies has extended his project to an online blog (princestreet.co.uk) “providing a place where viewers can continue to follow the chronicles and eccentricities of the man set apart, and allowing them to engage in discussion and share their own stories.”
